Abuja: Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has urged Nigerians to avoid rising hostility towards public institutions, warning that such attitudes could distort facts and undermine due process. Kachikwu’s remarks came during a press briefing in Abuja, where he addressed the ongoing dispute involving the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lt. A. Yerima.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lt. Yerima reportedly stopped the Minister from accessing a parcel of land managed by the FCT Administration. Kachikwu noted that reactions to the incident had been influenced by strong sentiments and stressed the importance of balanced assessment to prevent escalating tensions. He remarked that public criticism might have differed if a different Minister had been involved, highlighting that both the Minister and the officer appeared to have acted under provocation.
Kachikwu questioned the limited response to the officer’s reported unflattering remark about police officers, emphasizing that respect for security agencies is essential. He pointed out that the Minister, as the Chief Security Officer of the FCT, should not have been obstructed while performing official duties. He argued that directives from retired officers should not overrule the authority of serving government officials within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
Recalling a previous incident at his own construction site, Kachikwu illustrated how initial misunderstandings could be resolved with proper documentation, showing the potential for misinformation to create unnecessary conflict. He expressed concern over inconsistent responses from government officials and urged greater fairness in addressing security-related incidents.
Kachikwu warned that selective criticism could weaken institutional credibility and encourage future breaches of conduct. He appealed to Nigerians to avoid actions that might undermine national unity and emphasized the importance of respecting established procedures. Kachikwu concluded by calling for calm and praying for peace and stability in the country.